Olympic hockey overtime rules mean 5-on-5 isn't played, changing entire scope of gold medal game

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There will be many who don't like this.

It's overtime in the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics between the United States and Canada. And it's 3-on-3.

Hockey is played in regulation with five skaters on each side.

In OT, it's three skaters on each side.

That's how it works during the NHL regular season in overtime, and it's how it has worked for these entire Olympics.

It changes the entire game.

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Why isn't OT 5-on-5?

The simple reason that hockey leagues remove players from the ice in overtime is to create more chances.

More space leads to more goals, and usually the game ends quicker in 3-on-3 than in 5-on-5.

But that isn't always what everyone wants.

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Many think that it should remain 5-on-5.

Remember that gold medal game in 2010 that Sidney Crosby won for Canada over the USA? That was 5-on-5.

It retains the traditional format of hockey and keeps the rhythm of the game the way it was going in regulation.

Changing things to 3-on-3 changes everything. It's wide open, fast and extra tough for goalies.

Whichever country loses will surely wish it had stayed at 5-on-5.